Tell US Leaders To Protect Our Planet’s Vanishing Biodiversity
2,609 signatures toward our 30,000 Goal
Sponsor: The Rainforest Site
The United States is sitting out the most critical battle for our planet’s survival, while species vanish and ecosystems collapse—call for action now!
Biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth, supporting ecosystems, human survival, and the stability of our climate. Yet, we are witnessing an unprecedented loss of species, habitats, and vital natural resources. The urgency of this crisis demands global cooperation, and while nearly every country in the world has joined the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United States remains absent. Without our involvement, global efforts to protect nature will continue to fall short.
The world is gathering in Colombia for COP16, the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, to address the mounting threats to biodiversity. This summit is the latest in a series of international meetings aimed at implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which sets ambitious goals to protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. The U.S. should be leading this charge, yet our absence hampers these critical efforts1.
Why U.S. Involvement Matters
The biodiversity crisis is not confined to distant nations. Here in the U.S., we face rising threats to our own ecosystems, from shrinking pollinator populations to the destruction of wetlands and forests. The survival of species like the monarch butterfly, the rusty patched bumblebee, and the Florida panther depends on urgent action to preserve habitats. Furthermore, biodiversity plays a key role in regulating the climate, preventing floods, ensuring food security, and maintaining clean air and water.
The U.S. was once a leader in crafting the Convention on Biological Diversity, but political resistance has kept us from ratifying it2. The reasons for this reluctance, ranging from concerns over sovereignty to fears of burdensome regulations, no longer hold up under scrutiny. Experts agree that joining the CBD would impose no new environmental laws on the U.S. and would safeguard our intellectual property rights3. By refusing to join the CBD, we are weakening international efforts to address the most pressing environmental issue of our time.
The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework lays out 23 targets to reverse nature’s decline by 2030, and COP16 is the platform where these strategies must be solidified. Among these goals is the pledge to halt human-induced extinctions, restore degraded ecosystems, and protect key biodiversity areas. However, without full participation from all countries, including the U.S., these objectives are unlikely to be met4.
As one of the world's largest economies and a significant contributor to environmental degradation, the U.S. has a moral responsibility to lead by example. Other nations, particularly those in the developing world, rely on financial and technical support from wealthier countries to meet their biodiversity goals. Yet, global financing for conservation efforts remains far short of the required $200 billion per year5. The U.S.’s involvement would be a game changer, both in terms of policy leadership and the provision of necessary resources.
Time for Action
The science is clear: nature is collapsing, and without swift intervention, we will see a wave of extinctions and ecosystem failures that will impact every corner of the globe. Climate change and biodiversity loss are intertwined crises, and solutions to one cannot ignore the other. At COP16, nations will finalize plans to safeguard biodiversity, but the U.S. must have a seat at the table.
Now is the time to act. We must urge our government to join the Convention on Biological Diversity and actively participate in COP16. Every day that passes without U.S. involvement puts the future of our planet at greater risk. It is time for the United States to take its place as a global leader in the fight to save nature.
Sign the petition today and demand that the U.S. join the Convention on Biological Diversity.
- Al Jazeera (21 October 2024), "Environmental Leaders Gather to Discuss Declining Biodiversity at COP16."
- Benji Jones, Vox (20 May 2021), "Why the US Won’t Join the Single Most Important Treaty to Protect Nature."
- Michael Casey and Christina Larson, Associated Press (20 May 2021), "Pressure Grows for Countries to Deliver on Promised Biodiversity Targets at UN Conference."
- Seth Larson, World Wildlife Fund (30 September 2024), "New Analysis Reveals Countries Are Falling Short on Nature Pledges Ahead of CBD COP16."
- Susan Lieberman, PBS (17 October 2024), "Time for Urgent Action on Biodiversity in Colombia."
The Petition:
To the President of the United States, the U.S. Senate, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
We, the undersigned, call on U.S. leaders to join the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and actively participate in the 16th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16). This is a crucial moment for the United States to step up and address the urgent biodiversity crisis threatening our planet. Despite the gravity of the situation, the U.S. remains absent from the CBD, the most important international agreement dedicated to protecting nature and preventing species extinction.
Why U.S. Involvement Is Crucial
Biodiversity loss is happening at an alarming rate, with nearly one million species on the brink of extinction. This is not only a threat to ecosystems but to humanity itself. Biodiversity is essential for food security, clean air, water, and the fight against climate change. As one of the largest economies and a key environmental player, the U.S. has a moral and practical obligation to lead global conservation efforts.
The CBD and COP16 are vital frameworks aimed at protecting 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030, restoring damaged ecosystems, and halting the destruction of critical habitats. U.S. involvement in these efforts is essential to ensure the success of these global goals. By joining the CBD and attending COP16, the U.S. will demonstrate its commitment to combating biodiversity loss and protecting future generations.
Why Now?
The need for immediate action is urgent. As biodiversity loss and climate change intensify, they are becoming more interconnected. The U.S. has a unique opportunity to influence global policy, contribute to sustainable solutions, and enhance the resilience of our communities in the face of climate disasters. Joining the CBD would not only benefit global biodiversity but would also create sustainable economic opportunities and strengthen long-term food security in the U.S.
Ensuring a Better Future for All
By becoming a signatory to the CBD and attending COP16, the U.S. will reaffirm its role as an environmental leader and show a renewed commitment to protecting biodiversity for the benefit of all. These actions will pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable future for both Americans and people worldwide.
We urge you to take immediate steps to join the Convention on Biological Diversity and participate in COP16 to safeguard our planet’s biodiversity and ensure a brighter future for all.
Sincerely,
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